Ukraine's
Right Sector
Leader Wants Donbas Residents Deported
Dmitri
Yarosh, Rada MP and leader of Ukraine's Right Sector, has declared
that the unruly residents of eastern Ukraine must be deported and
deprived of their civil rights before a program of 'affectionate
Ukrainianization' can begin.
29
March, 2015
In
an interview for Ukrainian newspaper Obosrevatel published on Sunday,
Ukrainian Right Sector leader and Rada deputy Dmitri Yarosh stated
that the unruly residents of eastern Ukraine should be deported and
deprived of their civil rights.
Yarosh
noted that much of Donbas is populated by 'Sovoks', an insulting
slang term in Ukrainian and Russian derived from the word 'Soviet'.
Yarosh stated that the region "is populated by Sovoks –real
Sovoks. And they should be deported. We have to deal with those who
do not want to live by the rules and the laws of the state in a very
harsh manner. This includes deportation, the deprivation of civil
rights, and so on. Without force, it will not be possible to do
anything with the region, to turn the tide so to speak."
The
Right Sector leader added that the region's "unruly"
residents must also be dealt with. "If we get rid of the unruly
ones, everything will be fine, quiet and peaceful. And then, of
course, a program of affectionate Ukrainianization can begin."
The MP noted that "spiritual rebirth" can begin only if
authorities act in a consistent and forceful manner.
Yarosh
cited Ukrainian authorities' response to events in Konstantinovka,
Donetsk, controlled by the Ukrainian military, where an inebriated
Ukrainian armored vehicle driver recently crashed into a crowd of
people and crushed and killed an eight-year-old girl in a hit and run
incident, leading to riots in the streets.
"The
events in Konstantinovka are an example of what I mean. If we had
shown even a little bit of weakness…Right from the beginning a
whole bunch of 'heroes' began crawling out of the woodwork, using the
tragedy in their own separatist interests. And when our guys came out
and began shooting into the air and arresting the instigators of
riots, everything ceased at once. This is the rule," Yarosh
explained.
The
MP noted that in his view, there are still many "real patriots"
of Ukraine in the region, and that the present anti-Kiev attitudes
are the result of many years of Russian propaganda and the removal of
genuinely Ukrainian spiritual values. Yarosh explained that the "guys
from Donetsk and Lugansk regions" fighting for the Ukrainian
army "should become the [new] elite, on whose basis a
qualitatively new society can be built…And those Vatnik [slang for
Russians blindly loving their country], criminal oligarchic attitudes
sitting in the minds of ordinary people for one reason or another
must be removed."
As
part of an effort to get the country's volunteer battalions under his
control, Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko is said to have offered
Right Sector leader Dmitri Yarosh a post in the Ministry of Defense.
The
extreme nationalist leader noted that he has accepted the president's
invitation to come work in the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, adding
that he has chosen to do so on a volunteer basis.
Speaking
about the Ukrainian army's recent losses on the battlefield, Yarosh
recalled that "we faced a route near Ilovaisk…On the one hand,
we have learned to fight, with morale at a high level. But things are
very bad when a pride of lions is led by sheep. They cannot lead us
to victory, and only roll us back…Speaking about the current
situation on the front, our forces are still threatened by several
encirclements. And I don't know, again, whether the sheep will react
to this, or whether they are playing some sort of geopolitical game."
The
Right Sector is a far-right wing Ukrainian nationalist party. In
January and February of 2014, the movement's members participated
heavily in fighting with Ukrainian police in the streets of Kiev, and
in the capture of government buildings during the Euro-Maidan coup.
Since April, they have taken the lead in the crushing of protest
movements in eastern Ukraine, and enforcing the new order of the
revolutionary government. In addition, they have also been involved
in Kiev's military operation in Donbas. Right Sector's Ukrainian
Volunteer Corps includes two battalions operating in eastern Ukraine,
as well as eight reserve battalions throughout the rest of the
country.
In
November 2014, the Russian Supreme Court declared the Right Sector to
be an extremist organization, and its activity has been banned on the
territory of the Russian Federation. Earlier, in March, 2014, Russian
authorities issued an arrest warrant against Dmitri Yarosh for
incitement of terrorism, and for his organization's combat operations
in the First Chechen War against the Russian military.
Dmitry
Yarosh to Poroshenko: "We toppled Yanukovich, and can topple
you". Interview.
 |
29
March, 2015
Translated
by Kristina Rus
Our
conversation took place on the day the "Right Sector" was
ordered to leave the area of the ATO, and a new head of
administration was introduced in Dnepropetrovsk. The leader of the
"Right Sector" shared with us how he sees the situation,
and also spoke about the relationship with the authorities, the
future of the volunteer battalions, and much more.
About
the order to leave the area ATO
I
was preparing the draft laws on social protection of volunteers, but,
as far as I understand, the President put a stop to it. In my
opinion, Poroshenko does not understand still, what country he lives
in, does not understand the realities. I am not forcing events from
my side. And they are shaking the situation for some reason. Our
politicians who have become state officials, by circumstances, by the
will of the people, by
the blood that was spilled on the Maidan [did
not earn the power themselves, but were given the power by those like
Yarosh
- KR], in this war are too dependent on the opinions from abroad.
Putin, Merkel, Hollande.
They are given an algorithm of behavior,
and they will follow it. Even if it is at the expense of
national interests, even the sacred, the blood of the guys who died.
This is where it "shoots" from. [The
government betrayed the patriots, surprise - the "patriots"
served their role and are no longer needed, but they don't want
to step back -
KR]
I
realized this even at the airport. They begged me for a long time to
take the Right Sector out of there. When the fighting intensity came
down due to the "truce," which was quite ephemeral. At the
end of November I pulled the fighters. Often
my guys stopped the [UAF]
soldiers from running away and under a barrel of a gun simply did not
allow to give up the airport.
[This is a war of the "radical patriots" and not of the
people of Ukraine, and Yarosh doesn't get it, thinking most of them
are traitors of the motherland - KR] Twice
we were given the order to leave the airport.
As
soon as we left - the old terminal was surrendered. It became
clear that the new terminal is next - in a matter of time it will be
either captured or surrendered.
Although
we offered a lot of options. To move the firing positions outside of
its territory. To blow up the runway across, to dig a trench, 600
meters from the control tower, which we controlled. We went there
first, and then brought in the experienced soldiers. Captured the
height over the airfield. That is, we planned to fully capture it,
and under normal control and operations there would be no problems
with retaining this location. We even proposed to build a new
terminal!
They
looked at us, like... But it is very simple. Need shipping
containers, they are dug into the ground, filled with soil, even a
tank can't get them, it can be done in one day. They didn't agree to
anything. Now there is a [Right Sector] company in Shirokino, another
scandal began. I was already told that there is an order for the
withdrawal of troops of the Right Sector from Peski and Shirokino,
and anyway, we're represented across the entire front, I have
medical brigades and combat units. Many do not like it. Including
soldiers.
About
the relations with the army
When
our guys are under fire, they, as a rule, do not sit back and fire in
response. Mainly, we are in good relations with those brigades, with
which we fought before together [thats
it?
- KR]. But before the injury, when I was in Lugansk region,
near Schastje, drove the medics, we
were not accepted well...
But there the war is different than in Donetsk region. Checkpoints
are close to each other. They even go to visit each other (laughs).
Like it was in Afghanistan, when field commanders agreed among
themselves, existed peacefully. Until there was an incident when
national guardsmen on a jeep flew into a checkpoint to the other side
without stopping (were drunk), and they were shot. From our side they
began to pull APC's, to take them out, from that side they began to
pull the heavy weapons, and that's how it starts.
About
lawmaking, plans and relations with the authorities
I
want to introduce some bills, to form the armed forces under three
categories: conscripts, contractors and volunteers. To make
DUK [Volunteer Corps] a volunteer reserve, with its own area of
responsibility. One of the bills I have already registered. My
assistants betrayed me. Of course, changes will have to be made in
other legislation.
It
will be a natural relationship of the armed forces and volunteers. We
never subordinated to them. We initially established normal relations
with the main command. Only those suggestions that we have received
back in the spring... Initially, for example, agreed in the AP
[Presidential Administration], with Pashinsky that we will work under
the main directorate of intelligence. But in the Ministry of Defense,
they tell us: "Territorial defense" in God knows which
region. Wait, but we talked about something else?! "No, we'll
change it later..." Uh, no, guys, I say, I know your Ministry of
Defense, the bureaucracy, you will find any reason not to let us
fight. Had to refuse. And later there were many such proposals. To
join one brigade, then another. Everyone who wanted to go, went to
"Aidar", "Azov", UAF, we do not force anyone. But
there are people who don't believe the military commanders, and have
reasons not to believe. After Ilovaysk, Debaltsevo.
Now
I talk with the fighters, they ask: "Who are you leaving us to
rip us apart?" If they (the government - ed.) managed well, if
we had normal upgraded armed forces, with normal approach to staff,
there would be no need for any DUC, nor anything else. And what I
see, not in all, but in many units - no work with the staff. So that
a political officer would come, explained the political situation,
explained the motivation, why you are here, why to storm or to
protect an object, this doesn't happen. [Ukrainian
soldiers don't understand what they are fighting for, and Yarosh
wants to explain it to them - KR]
This is the Soviet
model,
they do not work. But we are doing everything according to NATO
standards.
The lack of bureaucracy gives full mobility. We
are not perfect, but much more efficient than today's regular army.
If only we had sufficient quantity of weapons, I think, we would
outnumber the armed forces (laughs). I know many, among the
commanders and fighters of armed forces of Ukraine, who would
immediately come to our side, if we were given weapons.
They
[the authorities] only can't understand one thing - they think that I
am competing with them for power. I don't need it at all!. If I
wanted power - I would have long started to work on that. All I want
is to win the war and to babysit grandchildren - nothing more.
[Didn't
you just describe how you want to call the shots?
- KR]
(Wife
Olga: "What about me?!.." - Yarosh: "Well, and you, of
course, sweetie! We will babysit each other!")
They
added amendments to the bills that I proposed, at the last
session on Thursday they were supposed to vote, but did not vote, and
it is unclear if they will vote at all, after
all these statements about the "cynical Banderites"
[Poroshenko
slip of tongue - KR],
and "those who love to shoot"
(regarding the killing of the SBU agent - ed.)...
I know that he (Poroshenko
- ed)
is afraid of us. Can't stand us. I told him everything in his face.
When Ilovaysk happened,
and the first agreements. The battle is raging, and I am told -
"Minsk agreement is signed". Called his assistant, said,
tell him it's complete idiocy. And the betrayal of national
interests. And also said: we toppled Yanukovych
and can topple you too. He got very offended.
I
can understand a lot: diplomatic maneuveringg, buying time, creating
the armed forces. But what killed me was a truce in September.
Debaltsevo. There was, for example, the moment when in Gorlovka only
a company of the separatists was left, we could go in there.
Debaltsevo could be prevented. And what? No orders. Lost a chance,
they were building up forces. And we were denied requests for arms.
But they (the authorities - ed) are afraid of the Right Sector more
than of the terrorists, obviously.
On
foreign instructors
Every
experience should be adopted. Will come in handy. We also hired
instructors, they came from all over the place. Our army did not
fight, their army came back from Iraq, Afghanistan, and so on. When
instructors see that our guys are interested, they are happy to share
the knowledge, it is very useful. They compared, went to the army.
They say this is not a drill, they [army
soldiers - KR]
are not interested. They do one hour of training, and done. But the
volunteers light up, they have a million questions, of course, the
instructors love it. In one of my battalions there are four Georgian
instructors, they also went through training. When they work, they
are very organized. Perfect supply, communications. When
they see someone managing a battle with text messages on a cell
phone (laughs),
it's hard for them to understand.
On
the work in the Verkhovna Rada
I
didn't really want to do it, the truth is, the guys came up with the
idea, I did not really want it, knew that it's not for me.
What
will happen to the volunteer battalions
Legitimization
of the status may help to save the volunteer units. But DUK just
cannot go under the subordination of the armed forces, under their
command. Because
it means we will be liquidated.
I have some commanders without higher military education, and some
even without any higher education. They will immediately loose their
positions. But they are more efficient than those with two diplomas.
We must have our own system of knowledge, hierarchy, and the
opportunity to grow. This should be reflected in the law. Then, after
the war, if they wish, they can receive a higher education. Our
Charter says: DUK is formed and operates only during the period of
war [undeclared?
- KR]. We
will return Crimea, restore our territorial integrity, and then
dissolve. We
have more discipline than the army. But it is normal to see a
commander on the front lines. Find me a general, who will come
there and lead the men from the trenches.
Our
fighters are well provided with helmets, body armor, and so on. We
are supported by volunteer organizations. If we will depend on
[state] tenders, it will be useless. We never set a goal to obtain
heavy equipment, we are light infantry, at most - we can have
mortars. Will not say no to tanks, of course, but it is not the goal.
We offer a completely different model of warfare. After
air reconnaissance, armored pickups or "Cougars" can
appear at the front, work on a target in three minutes and disappear.
The [enemy's] artillery will cover the position, but there will be no
one there.
About
the "ceasefire"
It
is relative, we see that there is fighting on many fronts. How long
it will last - depends on Putin and his decisions. They have
assembled forces for a strike, they will have deceptive battles, and
there will be the main ones. 3-4 shock troops they already have.
There are some in Donetsk, they may go to Konstantinovka, Slavyansk,
for them it is symbolic. The second direction is Mariupol. The third
- Stanitsa Luganskaya, Schastye, another cauldron may develop there.
And Volnovakha. They
will wait until the fields are dry to start the offensive.
We don't see their chessboard, may be they will have aviation.
About
relations with Kolomoisky
I
saw him twice in my life, there is no special relationship. With
Gennady Korban, Slava Oleynik, Boris Filatov I have a friendly
relationship. But then again, we also met after the revolution. War,
so to speak, made us friends. I judge by real results. I saw that the
guys are working not for their own pocket but for the country. That's
the main thing.
Although
I hear different things about "Privat", and I don't deny
it. Gena wrote yesterday in FB, that in
our country the conditions are such that you cannot legally do
business.
And
it's true. If you want to achieve anything, you have to violate the
rules, and only then you will achieve something.
I am very grateful for everything they've done for us, even though we
never asked for anything. Help with the body armor, helmets, cars,
without them it would be much harder. I am grateful to them, as a
resident of this region. We saw the situation in Kharkov, Odessa,
couldn't do this there. But they managed to do it, despite the
influence of Vilkul clan, which has considerable influence here. We
will ensure that they (the members of the clan - ed.) don't raise
their head, we can't afford to lose the Dnepropetrovsk region.
Without options.
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